Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene program provides a curriculum which reflects the core values of the profession, instills an understanding of life-long learning, and educates the graduate to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate dental hygiene care for the individual and the community. Graduates of this program will be eligible to take national and state/regional examinations for licensure which are required to practice dental hygiene.

The Dental Hygiene program is a selective program. When you apply to the college, you will be accepted into the undeclared program while you complete the prerequisite requirements. The Dental Hygiene program accepts a limited number of students each year and there is a separate application process. Contact your campus of interest below for more details.

Graduates are awarded an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam, as well as regional and state licensing exam. Successful completion of national, regional and state exams is required for licensure. Licensure is required for employment. The dental hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

The program begins in the fall semester of each year and is 2 years in length. The dental hygiene program is a full-time, primarily daytime program. Students are in classes, labs or clinics Monday through Friday and are on campus anywhere from 16-26 hours a week depending upon the semester.

The Dental Hygiene program is a limited enrollment program. The Dental Hygiene program accepts a limited number of students each year. There is a separate application process after certain requirements are met. Contact your campus of interest below for more details.

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WHY CHOOSE THE DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM? Dental hygiene is a good profession for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the health field and prefer one-on-one interaction with patients. Dental hygiene is very prevention oriented and hygienists spend much of their time screening for disease and educating patients on how to prevent disease. Good communication and organization skills are a must for dental hygienists. IMPORTANT NOTICE New admission/selection guidelines

SAMPLE CAREERS IN THIS FIELD Dental Hygienist

DEGREES AVAILABLE Associate of Applied Science. NOTE: The number of credits required for a degree or certification is based on students who are program-ready and does not include non-academic skills courses. Availability of degrees varies by campus. Contact your campus of interest below for more information.


ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN DENTAL HYGIENE (Minimum of 77 credit hours)
The Associate of Science degree prepares you for transfer to a university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene transfers to some Indiana public and private colleges and universities. To find out information about your transfer options to public and private universities, contact your academic advisor or the transfer office of your local Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the institution and consult the current catalog and web page of the institution to which you wish to transfer.

LOCATIONS
The Dental Hygiene program is offered at the following campuses. Please click on the campus of interest below for contact and campus specific program information:

East Central (Anderson, Marion, Muncie, New Castle)

Application Deadline:

April 5 for classes starting in August

Contact:

Joyce Hudson
Program Chair
1-800-589-8324, ext. 2371
jhudson73@ivytech.edu

Program Information

Dental Application 2013

Information Sessions Spring 2013

NEW!! Information Sessions are now available on-line!
Directions to view on-line:

1. Download these documents. You will need them during the session.

Fall/Spring Handout

Criminal Background and Drug Screening

Estimated Fees

On-line

Verification Form

2. Click here to open the Dental Hygiene Information Session on-line.
3. Open with Microsoft Power Point.
4. Make sure your volume is at the desired volume.
5. Select "Slide Show" from the menu at the top of your screen.
6. Select "From the Beginning from the menu in the upper left of your screen.
7. The on-line session should begin. To exit out of the session, press the Escape (Esc) key at anytime.

North Central (Elkhart, South Bend, Warsaw)

The dental hygienist is a licensed oral health care professional who an integral part of the dental health care team. A dental hygienist specializes in preventing and treating oral diseases to protect teeth, gums and patients’ total health. Common procedures performed by hygienists include patient education, removing deposits from teeth and below the gum line, taking dental x-rays, and the application of fluoride and dental sealants. State dental boards determine the duties hygienists are able to perform.

Admissions Packet

Dental Hygiene Information Sessions
Each information session lasts approximately 1 hour. Registration is not required. Participants are asked to be on time to the session and stay for the entire presentation.

For more information contact Barbara MacMillan at 574-289-7001, ext. 6379 or bmacmillan2@ivytech.edu.

Other Info:
American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)

Indiana Dental Hygienists' Association (IDHA)